An external SSD offers exactly what Chromebook users need: speed, durability, and simplicity. These drives connect via USB-C, are instantly recognized by ChromeOS, and provide good read/write speeds.
Modern Chromebooks are far more capable than their early predecessors. With support for Linux (Crostini), Android apps, local video editing, and even container-based development, many users find themselves bumping up against the internal storage limit—often 64GB or 128GB.
While ChromeOS is designed around cloud-based efficiency, real-world usage, including saving offline files and editing media, demands more than the default internal storage can handle.
With storage capacities ranging from 250GB to 4TB, they give you:
- Room for everything: photos, documents, Linux installs, games
- Speed for high-resolution video playback and editing
- Durability for school, work, and travel
- Flexibility to move files between devices (Chromebooks, Android phones, PCs)
This guide is for students, remote workers, developers, Chromebook power users, and casual users alike, anyone who needs to extend their Chromebook’s capabilities.
Here’s how we assessed the best options:
- ChromeOS Compatibility and Plug-and-Play Support
First things first: it needs to work instantly.
- USB-C (or USB-A with included adapters) for seamless Chromebook connections
- Native exFAT or FAT32 support, or easily reformattable to Chromebook-compatible filesystems
- No drivers or bloatware—true plug-and-play functionality
Every drive we recommend is confirmed to work flawlessly with ChromeOS.
- Speed and Interface
While Chromebooks may not use PCIe 4.0 internally, their USB-C ports often support USB 3.2 Gen 1 or Gen 2, giving you up to 1,000MB/s with the right drive.
- Portability and Durability
We focused on drives that are compact enough to fit in a pocket, backpack, or pencil case, built with rugged or shock-resistant enclosures, tethered or loopable for keychain or lanyard carrying, resistant to daily wear and tear from school bags or office gear
- Capacity and Use Case Flexibility
We included a range of sizes to match your workflow and budget:
- 250GB–500GB for students or casual users
- 1TB–2TB for media creators, developers, or Linux users
- 4TB for professionals or those replacing cloud storage with local solutions
Each model supports file sharing across Android phones, PCs, and tablets, making them ideal for cross-device workflows.
These are the best external SSDs for your Chromebook:
Contents
- SSK Portable SSD 1TB External Solid State Drives, up to 1050MBs USB C SSD
- Crucial X9 Pro 1TB Portable SSD – Up to 1050MBs Read and Write, Water and Dust Resistant
- ORICO 2TB External SSD Up to 1050MBs, Hanging Hole Design Portable Solid State Drive
- SAMSUNG T7 Shield 4TB Portable SSD - 1050MBs, Rugged, Water & Dust Resistant
- BUFFALO External SSD 2TB - Compatible with PS4 PS5 WindowsMac
- LaCie Rugged SSD Pro 2TB Solid State Drive
- SSK Portable SSD 2TB External Solid State Drive
- Silicon Power 500GB MS70 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Portable External SSD
- SABRENT Rocket Nano Rugged 2TB USB 3.2 10Gbs External Aluminum Waterproof [IP67] SSD
- PNY EliteX-PRO 2TB USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C Portable Solid State Drive (SSD)
- SanDisk 4TB Extreme Portable SSD - Up to 1050MBs, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2, IP65 Water and Dust Resistance
- LaCie Rugged Mini SSD 2TB Solid State Drive
- SABRENT Rocket Nano Rugged 1TB USB 3.2 10Gbs External Aluminum Waterproof [IP67] SSD
SSK Portable SSD 1TB External Solid State Drives, up to 1050MBs USB C SSD |
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|---|---|
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| Storage Capacity | 1tb |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Mac OS, Android |
| Data Transfer Speed | 1050MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2, Type C |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | Silicone Rubber, PVC, Metal |
| Weight | 2.11 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | Portable, Backward Compatible, 1050 MB/s, LED Light |
| Reasons to Buy | High speeds, good build quality, value for money |
Crucial X9 Pro 1TB Portable SSD – Up to 1050MBs Read and Write, Water and Dust Resistant |
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|---|---|
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| Storage Capacity | 1TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Android |
| Data Transfer Speed | 1050MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB C |
| Color | Gray |
| Casing Material | PVC |
| Weight | 1.34 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | High speed read and write |
| Reasons to Buy | Suitable for Laptop, Gaming Console, Tablet, Camera |
ORICO 2TB External SSD Up to 1050MBs, Hanging Hole Design Portable Solid State Drive |
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|---|---|
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| Storage Capacity | 2TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Mac OS, Android |
| Data Transfer Speed | 1050MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2, Type C |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | Silicone Rubber, PVC, Metal |
| Weight | 3.52 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | 2 in 1 USB C & A Cable: Adapt USB-C and USB-A devices(Smart phones, PC, Laptops and Tablets |
| Reasons to Buy | Good performance, Portable |
SAMSUNG T7 Shield 4TB Portable SSD - 1050MBs, Rugged, Water & Dust Resistant |
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|---|---|
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| Storage Capacity | 4TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Mac OS, Android |
| Data Transfer Speed | 1050MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2 Gen 2 |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | Silicone Rubber, PVC, Metal Casing |
| Weight | 3.42 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | IP65 Rated |
| Reasons to Buy | Large storage, fast speeds |
BUFFALO External SSD 2TB - Compatible with PS4 PS5 WindowsMac |
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|---|---|
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| Storage Capacity | 2TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Mac OS, Android |
| Data Transfer Speed | Up to 340MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2, Type C |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | PVC, Metal |
| Weight | 5.6 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | Shock-resistant, rugged design provides drop protection |
| Reasons to Buy | Compact, Reliable, High Speed |
LaCie Rugged SSD Pro 2TB Solid State Drive |
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|---|---|
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| Storage Capacity | 2TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Mac OS, Android |
| Data Transfer Speed | 2800MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | Thunderbolt 3 USB C |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | Silicone Rubber, PVC |
| Weight | 3.53 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | Water resistant, shock proof |
| Reasons to Buy | Value for money, Design, Large capacity |
SSK Portable SSD 2TB External Solid State Drive |
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|---|---|
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| Storage Capacity | 2TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Mac OS, Android |
| Data Transfer Speed | 1050MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2, Type C |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | Silicone Rubber, PVC, Metal |
| Weight | 2.11 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | Portable, 1050 MB/s, LED Light |
| Reasons to Buy | Large storage capacity, High speeds, Good cheap drive |
Silicon Power 500GB MS70 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Portable External SSD |
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|---|---|
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| Storage Capacity | 512GB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Mac OS, Android |
| Data Transfer Speed | 1050MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2, Type C |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | Rubber, Metal |
| Weight | 0.704 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | 5 year warranty |
| Reasons to Buy | High speed, portable, reliable |
SABRENT Rocket Nano Rugged 2TB USB 3.2 10Gbs External Aluminum Waterproof [IP67] SSD |
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|---|---|
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| Storage Capacity | 2TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Mac OS, Android |
| Data Transfer Speed | 2700MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2, Type C |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | PVC, Metal |
| Weight | 7.4 oz |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | IP67 Water and Dust Proof |
| Reasons to Buy | Large storage capacity, Portable and compact, high speeds, value for your money |
PNY EliteX-PRO 2TB USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C Portable Solid State Drive (SSD) |
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|---|---|
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| Storage Capacity | 2TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Mac OS, Android |
| Data Transfer Speed | 1500MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2 |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | PVC, Metal |
| Weight | 3.87 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | High speed |
| Reasons to Buy | Functional, Highly portable, Good performance |
SanDisk 4TB Extreme Portable SSD - Up to 1050MBs, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2, IP65 Water and Dust Resistance |
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|---|---|
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| Storage Capacity | 4TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Mac OS, Android |
| Data Transfer Rate | 1050MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2, USB-C |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | Silicone Rubber, PVC, Metal Casing |
| Weight | 1.76 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | IP65 Water and Dust Resistance |
| Reasons to Buy | Dust Resistant, Water Resistant, Portable, Hardware Encryption |
LaCie Rugged Mini SSD 2TB Solid State Drive |
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|---|---|
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| Storage Capacity | 2TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Mac OS, Android, iPad, iPhone |
| Data Transfer Speed | 2000MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB C |
| Color | Orange |
| Casing Material | Silicone, PVC, |
| Weight | 4 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | Rugged |
| Reasons to Buy | Good performance, High speed, durable design |
SABRENT Rocket Nano Rugged 1TB USB 3.2 10Gbs External Aluminum Waterproof [IP67] SSD |
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|---|---|
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| Storage Capacity | 1TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Mac OS, Android |
| Data Transfer Speed | 2700MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2, Type C |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | PVC |
| Weight | 7.4 oz |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | IP67 Water and Dust Proof |
| Reasons to Buy | Portable and compact, high speeds, value for your money |
Also have a look at the best external ssds for after effects in addition to the latest external ssds for Raspberry Pi.
